Betula nigra 'Dura-Heat' (River Birch)

'Dura-Heat' is a cultivar of river bird, Betula nigra, a vigorous, fast-growing, native tree found across much of the eastern United States. The 'Dura-Heat' cultivar improves upon the straight species with additional heat and drought tolerance, improved insect and disease resistance, and supposedly even more attractive glossy green foliage. A valuable species for erosion control when placed along river banks, Betula nigra 'Dura-Heat' is an even better selection for ornamental and ecological uses in warmer locales. 

In the spring, Betula nigra 'Dura-Heat' produces small catkin-type flowers that don't attract pollinators, but which turn to profuse numbers of small seeds. Although trees are a host plant for many species of butterfly and moth, and seeds are also a favorite of birds and small mammals which eat the tree's seeds. In addition to smaller animals, deer and other larger mammals will browse young branches closer to the ground.  'Dura-Heat' prefers full sun, and medium-moist soils and, once established, can grow 2-3' per year up to a mature height of 40-70' tall with a canopy spread of up to 35' wide. Equally valuable as an ecological addition and an ornamental one, Betula nigra features salmon-pink exfoliating bark with glossy, medium to dark green leaves which turn a striking yellow shade in the fall.